Steam pressure regulating device



Sept. 27, 1932. c, EN

STEAM PRESSURE REGULATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14. 1929 v 22 ZZZ/a g 1/7 fiiarz jll ch Patented Sept. 27, 1932 CHARLES A. FIRE-N CH, 01 BIvERSIDE, ILLINOIS STEAM PRESSURE REGULATING DEVICE Application filed October 14, 1929. Serial No. 399,686.

This invention relates'to a pressure regulating device for steam generating systems. More particularly, it relates to cooperating means forregulating the feed water supply 5} for and the heat supplied to such a system. 7

One object of the invention is to construct a device for regulating the feed water supply 7 to a boiler by the pressure generated therein, Another object is to regulate the amount of 1 heat supplied to the boiler by the pressure in the feed water line, and indirectly by the pressure in the boiler. Another object is to cooperatively arrange the regulating means, so that the burner supplying heatto the boiler cannot be made to operate unless feed Water is being pumped into the boiler at a predetermined pressure. A minor object is to provide a time interval between a reduction in the feed water pressure and the cutting oii' of the fuel supply from the burner. Other objects will be apparent from the detailed dev I a reservoir 6 and force it through a pipe line scription to follo r The objects of the invention are accomplished by an arrangement of cooperatively arranged pressure operated means.- 'A bypass valve is arranged. in the feed water supply line, and means operated by the boiler pressure are provided for actuating the bypass valve when the boiler pressure reaches a predetermined amount for which the valve is set to operate. A plunger arranged to operate a valve controlling the fuel supplyto the heating means for the burner is positioned in a chamber in fluid communication with the feed water line. Upon release of the feed water pressure, due to lay-passing the feed water or for any other reason, such as failure of the feed water pump, the plunger is operated by a spring member to by-pass the fuel being supplied to the heating means. The same plunger may also operate a switch, which controls the current for driving the fan motor. i r

A bleed line, communicating with the plunger chamber, allows a small portion of the water in the plunger chamber, which is under high pressure, to continuallyescape.

A check valve is positioned between the high pressure feed water line and the chamber,

to prevent return flow from the chamber 17 is held in closed The valve has when the pressure drops in the feed water line. This provides for a time lag between v the reduction or" pressure in the'feed water line and the action of the plunger in its cham ber. The time interval is controlled by the a valve in the bleed line. v. p v a A preferred embodiment of theinvention is, hereinafter described and. illustrated in i the drawing, where: v Figure 1 is adiagrammatic sketch .ofa

steam generating'and consumlng system in which the invention is embodied; and,

Figure 2 shows the essential parts of a regulating device embodying the elements shown in Figure 1 as constructed in a unitary 5 housing. p

In Figure 1, a boiler 1 is supplied with heat by a burner 2. i The burner is provided with an air supply fan 3 driven by a motor ll A fuel pump 5, driven by any suitable means, not shown, is positioned todraw fuel from 7 to the burner 2.

Steam generated at asuitable pressure" in the boiler is delivered by a high pressure pipe 8 to a steam engine 9. The exhaust from the engine is led to a condenser 10, and the condensate is delivered to a hot well 11.

A feed water pump 12, driven by any suitable means, not shown, pumps water from the hot well 11 through a high pressure. feed water pipe 13 to the boiler 1; A check valve 14 is positioned in the feed waterpipe'il3 adjacent the boiler. A branch pipe 15 from the feed water pipe 13 communicates with'a valve chamber 16 in which a bypass valve position bya spring 1 an integral stem 19, which extends intoa low pressure casing 20 adjacent the valve chamber andin communication therewith. The casing contains a cylindrical member 21 having a closed bottom 22 and an outwardly extending flange 23 at the top. A spring 24 resting on the bottom of the easing. 20 is positioned to press upwardly against the flange 23 at the top of the member 21;

A tubular member 25 depends from the top of the low pressure casing 20 into the cylindrical'member 21. A packed plunger 26 is positioned in the tubular member 25 and is adapted to engage the bottom 22 of the cylindrical member 21. The top of the tubular member is in communication with the pipe line 8 carrying the full boiler pressure.

The valve chamber 16 communicates through a pipe 26 with a second chamber in the form of av plunger cylinder 27. A check valve 28 is positioned in the pipe 26 to permit flow only in the direction of the plunger cylinder. A small bleed pipe '29, controlled by a valve 30, connects the plunger cylinder with the low pressure casing 20. A small drain pipe 31 connects the top of the plunger cylinder with the low pressure casing.

j -A packed plunger 32 is positioned in the plungercylinder 27 and has an extending stem 33 positioned to engage a lever 34 fulcrumed on a pivot 35. The lever 34 is held against the stem 33 of the plunger by a spring 36 positioned on opposite side of the pivot 35. A second plunger cylinder 37 is arranged to control the fuel supplied to the heating means. A plunger 38 has an upward. extension 39 en aged by the lever 34, and a lower anddo wnwar'dly extending stem 40. The

stem 40has a valve member 41 attached thereto, which is normally kept in closed position against a seat 42 by a spring 40 resting on the bottom of the plunger cylinder.

A. connecting pipe 43 communicates with the lower part of the plunger cylinder 37 I and with the fuel pipe 7. A fuel return pipe 44' connects with the plunger vchamber above the valve 41 positioned therein, and discharges into the fuel tank 6. A switch 45' has an operating lever 46 operatively con- 'nected to the lever 34 by a cord 47. 'The switch .is positioned in the current supply line by which the fan motor is operated.

Figure 2 shows the elements making up the pressure regulating device previously described as part of the steam generating systenishown in Figure 1. It will be noted that in Figure 2 the elements are shown housed in and on a unita-ry'housing. The plungers 26 and 38 are shown as being provided with a series of packings to adapt them for the high pressure developed in boilers such as used in steam vehicles. The valvecompartment 16 is provided with a threaded plug 16 for. adjusting the-tension on the valve spring 18 and for gaining access to the valve chamber.

'A similar plug 37 a is positioned in the bottom of the plunger cylinder 37 for the same purposes." 7 V j I In the operation ofthe regulating device, the steam generating system is put intooperation'by starting the feed water pump 12,

the fuel pump 5, the fan motor 4, and igniting the burner 2. Steam is generated and pressure builds up in the steam line 8. The steam is consumed by. the steamengine 9, or is used for other purposes, and the exhaust steam is delivered to the condenser 10. The condensate collects in the hot well 11 and is recirculated by the feed water pump.

Pressure from the feed water line is transmitted to the plunger cylinder 27 and the plunger 32 is held out against the lever 34. In this position of the lever 34, the spring 40 in the plunger chamber 37 holds the fuel by-pass valve 41 in closed position. 7

When the pressure in the steam line 8 reaches a predetermined amount for which the device is adjusted to function, the plunger 26 is forced down against the bottom of the cylindrical member 23. As soon as the slack is taken up between this member and the valve stem 19, the valve 17 is opened and the feed water is by-passed into the low pressure casing 20. From this casing it runs back into the hot well through a pipe 13*. When the valve 17 opens, thepressure in the pipe 26 leading to the plunger cylinder 27 is reduced.

The check valve seats and prevents the re-' pressure casing '20. As soon as the valve 28" seats, the flow of water through the bleed line 29 reduces the pressure operating against the plunger 32 and it descends in. the plunger chamber. This feature of the device gives a time lag between the reduction of pressure in the feed water line and the cutting 0E of the fuel supply. When the plunger 32 is pushed down by the spring 36 acting on the lever 34, the plunger 38 is also actuated. The

valve 41 in the plunger cylinder is opened and the fuel supplied from the pump 5 is by-passed back into the fuel tank.

The switch 45 is adjusted so that the downward movement of the lever 34 cuts ofi: or reduces the speed of the fan motor.

When the pressure falls in the boiler, the actions just explained are reversed. The valve 17 is seated when pressure is reduced by the plunger 26, and pressure is built up transmitted to the plunger cylinder 27, raising the plunger 32. This action closes the fuel by-pass 41 and starts the fan motor by operating the switch 45. In case the feed water pump fails for any reason, or, if the pressure in the feed water pipe leading to the boiler fails for any reason, it will be seen that the heat supplied to the boiler is automatically reduced until a predetermined pressure is again built up in the feed water pipe.

f It will, therefore, .be seen that I have devised a comparatively simple arrangement of elements for positively controlling the feed water supply for and the heat supplied to a steam generating system, and that departure from the specific form illustrated is possible within the scope of the claim.

WVhat is'claimed is: In an arrangement of the character dein the feed water pipe 13. This pressure is scribed, the combination of a boiler having av generator therein, heating means in said boiler, electric operating means for causing said heating means to function, an electric circuit controlling said operating means, a water tank, a pumping medium adapted to deliver water from said tank to said generator, a feed pipe through which water from said pumping medium passes to said generator, a branch on said feed line, a control device on said branch,

a pressure responsive means in said control device against one side of which pressure is: adapted to be exerted by water in said branch, a stem in said control device movable with said pressure responsive means, a switch movable by said stem to closed position when pressure is exerted against said pressure responsive means from said feedplpe, and means for moving said pressure responsive means,

said stem and said switch, to open said switch when the water pressure against said pressure responsive means ceases, said switch being arranged in said electric circuit so that when opened said heating means is extinguished.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES A. FRENCH. 

